U.S. patent number 8,489,149 [Application Number 11/936,723] was granted by the patent office on 2013-07-16 for video communication terminal and method of displaying images.
This patent grant is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Eun Young Lee. Invention is credited to Eun Young Lee.
United States Patent |
8,489,149 |
Lee |
July 16, 2013 |
Video communication terminal and method of displaying images
Abstract
A mobile terminal includes a communication unit, a display, a
camera for obtaining images, and a processor for causing an image
to be displayed on the display and for causing images to be
communicated via the communication unit. The processor may be
further configured to obtain a first image from the camera, obtain
a substantial mirror image of the first image to form a second
image, display the second image on the display, and communicate the
first image to a receiving device via a wireless communication
link.
Inventors: |
Lee; Eun Young (Seoul,
KR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lee; Eun Young |
Seoul |
N/A |
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc. (Seoul,
KR)
|
Family
ID: |
39673093 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/936,723 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2007 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20080268899 A1 |
Oct 30, 2008 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Apr 24, 2007 [KR] |
|
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10-2007-0039794 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/566;
455/575.1; 455/556.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
5/23206 (20130101); H04N 7/141 (20130101); H04N
5/232933 (20180801); H04N 5/2621 (20130101); G06F
3/1454 (20130101); H04N 5/2258 (20130101); G09G
5/14 (20130101); G09G 2370/02 (20130101); G09G
2370/20 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04M
1/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;455/566,556.1,575.1
;348/373,14.01,231.3,143,170 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1393003 |
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Jan 2003 |
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CN |
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1513165 |
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Jul 2004 |
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CN |
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1518326 |
|
Aug 2004 |
|
CN |
|
1708979 |
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Dec 2005 |
|
CN |
|
1441522 |
|
Jul 2004 |
|
EP |
|
1441522 |
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Jul 2004 |
|
EP |
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2006/011401 |
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Feb 2006 |
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WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Matharu; Manpreet
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lee, Hong, Degerman, Kang &
Waimey
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for displaying an image on a bar-type mobile terminal
operating in a video call mode, the method comprising: obtaining a
first video, during the video call mode, from a first camera
configured with the bar-type mobile terminal; obtaining a
substantially mirror image of the first video to form a second
video; displaying the second video, during the video call mode, on
a display associated with the bar-type mobile terminal;
transmitting, during the video call mode, the first video via a
wireless communication link to a receiving device while displaying
the second video on the display; receiving a third video, during
the video call mode, from the receiving device via the wireless
communication link; displaying the third video, during the video
call mode, on the display, wherein the second video and the third
video are displayed simultaneously on the display, and wherein a
displayed size of the third video is larger than a displayed size
of the second video, and wherein the first camera is located on a
front side of the mobile terminal adjacent to the display and is
configured to face a same direction as the display.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first camera is
user-positionable in a plurality of different positions
independently of a main body of the mobile terminal.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first camera is
fixedly configured with the first mobile terminal.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bar-type mobile
terminal has a first display mode and a second display mode, which
are user selectable, wherein the first display mode comprises
displaying the second video on the display; and wherein the second
display mode comprises displaying the first video, instead of the
second video, on the display.
5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: displaying
a display mode menu item on the display; changing an image display
mode of the bar-type mobile terminal between the first display mode
and the second display mode responsive to a user input with regard
to the display mode menu item.
6. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: displaying
an icon on the display; changing an image display mode of the
bar-type mobile terminal between the first display mode and the
second display mode in response to a user input with regard to the
icon.
7. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: changing an
image display mode of the bar-type mobile terminal between the
first display mode and the second display mode in response to a
user interaction comprising a touch input applied to the display of
the bar-type mobile terminal.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein a fourth video, which
is from a second camera configured with the mobile terminal, and
either the first video or the second video are simultaneously
displayed on the display.
9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: obtaining a
fourth video from a second camera configured with the bar-type
mobile terminal; displaying the fourth video as a background video
on the display; displaying the second video as a foreground image
on the display; and transmitting, in the video call mode, a
combined image comprising the fourth video and the first video via
the wireless communication link to the receiving device.
10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: providing
relative positioning between the second video and the fourth video
responsive to user input.
11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: obtaining
a fourth video from a second camera configured with the bar-type
mobile terminal; displaying the fourth video as a background video
on the display; displaying the second video as a partially
transparent foreground on the display; and transmitting, in the
video call mode, a combined image comprising the fourth video and
the first video via the wireless communication link to the
receiving device.
12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: obtaining
a fourth video from a second camera configured with the bar-type
mobile terminal; displaying the fourth video as a partially
transparent background on the display; displaying the second video
as a foreground on the display; and transmitting, in the video call
mode, a combined image comprising the fourth video and the first
video via the wireless communication link to the receiving
device.
13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: obtaining
a fourth video from a second camera configured with the bar-type
mobile terminal; displaying the fourth video as a partially
transparent background on the display; displaying the second video
as a partially transparent foreground on the display; and
transmitting, in the video call mode, a combined image comprising
the fourth video and the first video via the wireless communication
link to the receiving device.
14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: obtaining
a fourth video from a second camera configured with the bar-type
mobile terminal; displaying, in the video call mode, the fourth
video simultaneously with the second video on the display.
15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mirror image of
the first video represents a right-left reverse of the first
video.
16. A bar-type mobile terminal, comprising: a communication unit; a
display; a first camera for obtaining video; and a processor
configured to: obtain a first video, during a video call mode, from
the first camera obtain a substantially mirror image of the first
video to form a second video; cause displaying of the second video
on the display, during the video call mode; cause the communication
unit to transmit, during the video call mode, the first video via a
wireless communication link to a receiving device while the second
video is displayed on the display; receive, via the communication
unit and during the video call mode, a third video from the
receiving device and via the wireless communication link; cause
displaying of the third video on the display, during the video call
mode, wherein the second video and the third video are displayed
simultaneously on the display, and wherein a displayed size of the
third video is larger than a displayed size of the second
video.
17. The bar-type mobile terminal according to claim 16, wherein the
first camera is user-positionable in a plurality of different
positions independently of a main body of the bar-type mobile
terminal.
18. The mobile terminal according to claim 16, wherein the first
camera is fixedly configured with the bar-type mobile terminal.
19. The bar-type mobile terminal according to claim 16, wherein the
bar-type mobile terminal has a first display mode and a second
display mode, which are user selectable, wherein the first display
mode comprises displaying the second video on the display; and
wherein the second display mode comprises displaying the first
video, instead of the second video, on the display.
20. The bar-type mobile terminal according to claim 19, wherein the
display is configured as a touchscreen display permitting user
input, and the processor is further configured to: change an image
display mode of the bar-type mobile terminal between the first
display mode and the second display mode in response to a user
touch contact applied on the display.
21. The bar-type mobile terminal according to claim 16, wherein the
processor is further configured to: obtain a fourth video from a
second camera configured with the bar-type mobile terminal; display
the fourth video as a background on the display; display the second
video as a foreground on the display; and transmit, in the video
call mode, a combined image comprising the fourth video and the
first video via the wireless communication link to the receiving
device.
22. The mobile terminal according to claim 21, wherein the
processor is further configured to: provide relative positioning
between the second video and a fourth video responsive to a user
input.
23. The mobile terminal according to claim 16, wherein: the
processor is further configured to display the third video
simultaneously with the second video on the display.
24. A bar-type mobile terminal, comprising: a communication unit; a
display comprising a first display mode and a second display mode,
which are user selectable; a first camera for obtaining video; a
processor configured to: obtain a first video, during a video call
mode, from the first camera obtain a substantially mirror image of
the first video to form a second video; cause displaying of the
second video on the display, during the video call mode; cause the
communication unit to transmit, during the video call mode, the
first video via a wireless communication link to a receiving device
while the second video is displayed on the display; receive, via
the communication unit and during the video call mode, a third
video from the receiving device and via the wireless communication
link; cause displaying of the third video on the display, during
the video call mode, wherein the second video and the third video
are displayed simultaneously on the display, and wherein a
displayed size of the third video is larger than a displayed size
of the second video, wherein the first display mode comprises
displaying the second video on the display, and wherein the second
display mode comprises displaying the first video, instead of the
second video, on the display.
25. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing,
in the video call mode, relative positioning between at least two
of the first video, the second video, or the third video in
response to a user input.
26. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least two of
the first video, the second video, or the third video are
simultaneously displayed on the display and are configured to
overlap one another.
27. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: obtaining
a fourth video, during the video call mode, from a second camera
configured with the mobile terminal, wherein the second camera is
located on a rear side of the mobile terminal, wherein the front
side is a side that is opposite to the rear side; and transmitting,
during the video call mode, the fourth video via the wireless
communication link to the receiving device, wherein the fourth
video is transmitted while displaying the third video, and wherein
the fourth video is different from the first video.
28. The bar-type mobile terminal according to claim 16, further
comprising: a second camera for obtaining video, wherein the first
camera is located on a front side of the mobile terminal adjacent
to the display and is configured to face a same direction as the
display, and wherein the second camera is located on a rear side of
the mobile terminal, wherein the front side is a side that is
opposite to the rear side; and wherein the processor is further
configured to: obtain a fourth video, during the video call mode,
from the second camera, cause the communication unit to transmit,
during the video call mode, the fourth video via the wireless
communication link to the receiving device, wherein the fourth
video is transmit while displaying the third video, and wherein the
fourth video is different from the first video.
29. The bar-type mobile terminal according to claim 24, further
comprising: a second camera for obtaining video, wherein the first
camera is located on a front side of the mobile terminal adjacent
to the display and is configured to face a same direction as the
display, and wherein the second camera is located on a rear side of
the mobile terminal, wherein the front side is a side that is
opposite to the rear side; and wherein the processor is further
configured to: obtain a fourth video, during the video call mode,
from the second camera, cause the communication unit to transmit,
during the video call mode, the fourth video via the wireless
communication link to the receiving device, wherein the fourth
video is transmit while displaying the third video, and wherein the
fourth video is different from the first video.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a), this application claims the
benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean
Application No. 10-2007-0039794, filed on Apr. 24, 2007, the
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in
their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to wireless communications,
and in particular, to displaying mirror images on a display of a
mobile terminal.
DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART
Developments of communication technologies include improvements in
the realm of video conferencing. Video conferencing permits two or
more parties to communicate with not only audio but with video or
images depicting the users or their environment.
A typical communication includes obtaining an image of a first
party which is then communicated to a second party for display. In
some cases, an image is obtained from the second party and
communicated to the first party to display. To optimize the
conference experience, it is desirable to center the subject within
the image. Some systems display on the transmitting mobile terminal
the image which is being transmitted. Even if this feature is
provided, users often find it challenging to center themselves
within the image since such action requires the user to move the
camera relative to the user in a direction which is opposite to
that which is depicted in the display. For instance, if the camera
is moved to the user's left, the result is that the subject moves
from the right of the image to the center of the image, and vice
versa. Such action requires unnatural movement of the camera
relative to the user
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the
description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the
description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The
objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized
and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the
written description and claims hereof as well as the appended
drawings.
In accordance with an embodiment, a method for displaying an image
on a mobile terminal includes obtaining a first image from a first
camera configured with a first mobile terminal, obtaining a
substantially mirror image of the first image to a form a second
image, displaying the second image on a display associated with the
first mobile terminal, and communicating the first image via a
wireless communication link to a receiving device.
In one feature, the first camera is user-positionable in a
plurality of different positions.
In another feature, the first camera is fixedly configured with the
first mobile terminal.
In yet another feature, the first camera is located on the mobile
terminal in such a manner as to capture images of a user of the
first mobile terminal.
In still yet another feature, the first camera is located on the
mobile terminal in such a manner as to capture images of a user of
the first mobile terminal while the display is visible to the
user.
In one aspect, the first mobile terminal has a first display mode
and a second display mode which is user selectable, such that the
first display mode comprises displaying the second image on the
display associated with the first mobile terminal, and the second
display mode comprises displaying the first image, instead of the
second image, on the display associated with the first mobile
terminal.
In another aspect, the method further includes displaying a display
mode menu item on the display of the first mobile terminal, and
changing an image display mode of the first mobile terminal between
the first display mode and the second display mode responsive to
user input with regard to the display mode menu item.
In yet another aspect, the method further includes displaying an
icon on the display of the first mobile terminal, and changing an
image display mode of the first mobile terminal between the first
display mode and the second display mode responsive to user input
with regard to the icon.
In still yet another aspect, the method further includes changing
an image display mode of the first mobile terminal between the
first display mode and the second display mode responsive to user
interaction with a key of the first mobile terminal or user contact
with the display of the first mobile terminal.
In one feature, the method further includes obtaining a third image
from a second camera configured with the first mobile terminal,
displaying the third image on the display associated with the first
mobile terminal, and communicating the third image via a wireless
communication link to the receiving device.
In another feature, the second image and the third image are
simultaneously displayed on the display.
In yet another feature, the method further includes obtaining a
third image from a second camera configured with the first mobile
terminal, displaying the third image as a background image on the
display associated with the first mobile terminal, displaying the
second image as a foreground image on the display associated with
the first mobile terminal, and communicating a combined image
including the third image and the first image via a wireless
communication link to the receiving device.
In still yet another feature, the method further includes providing
relative positioning between the second image and the third image
responsive to user input.
In one aspect, the method further includes obtaining a third image
from a second camera configured with the first mobile terminal,
displaying the third image as a background image on the display
associated with the first mobile terminal, displaying the second
image as a partially transparent foreground image on the display
associated with the first mobile terminal, and communicating a
combined image including the third image and the first image via a
wireless communication link to the receiving device.
In another aspect, the method further includes obtaining a third
image from a second camera configured with the first mobile
terminal, displaying the third image as a partially transparent
background image on the display associated with the first mobile
terminal, displaying the second image as a foreground image on the
display associated with the first mobile terminal, and
communicating a combined image including the third image and the
first image via a wireless communication link to the receiving
device.
In yet another aspect, the method further includes obtaining a
third image from a second camera configured with the first mobile
terminal, displaying the third image as a partially transparent
background image on the display associated with the first mobile
terminal, displaying the second image as a partially transparent
foreground image on the display associated with the first mobile
terminal, and communicating a combined image including the third
image and the first image via a wireless communication link to the
receiving device.
In still yet another aspect, the method further includes receiving
a fourth image communicated by a remote device, and displaying the
fourth image simultaneously as the second image on the display
associated with the first mobile terminal.
In another feature, the mirror image of the first image represents
a right-left reverse of the first image.
In accordance with an alternative embodiment, a mobile terminal
includes a communication unit, a display, a first camera for
obtaining images, and a processor for causing an image to be
displayed on the display and for causing images to be communicated
via the communication unit. The processor may be configured to
obtain a first image from the first camera, obtain a substantial
mirror image of the first image to form a second image, display the
second image on the display, and communicate the first image to a
receiving device via a wireless communication link.
In accordance with yet another alternative embodiment, a mobile
terminal includes a communication unit, a display including a first
display mode and a second display mode which is user selectable, a
first camera for obtaining images and which is located on the
mobile terminal in such a manner as to capture images of a user of
the mobile terminal while the display is visible to the user, and a
processor for causing an image to be displayed on the display and
for causing images to be communicated via the communication unit.
The processor is configured to obtain a first image from the first
camera, obtain a substantial mirror image of the first image to
form a second image, display the second image on the display,
communicate the first image to a receiving device via a wireless
communication link, change display mode of the display responsive
to user input, such that the first display mode comprises
displaying the second image on the display associated with the
mobile terminal, and such that the second display mode comprises
displaying the first image, instead of the second image, on the
display.
These and other embodiments will also become readily apparent to
those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of
the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the
invention not being limited to any particular embodiment
disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of
the following description of preferred embodiments, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, wherein:
FIGS. 1A and 1B respectively depict front and rear sides of a
mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting the mobile terminal of FIGS. 1A
and 1B.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting a method for displaying images
obtained from a single camera according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 4 provides an example in which an image having an original
orientation is transmitted to a remote user while a mirror image of
the original image is displayed on the mobile terminal of the
user.
FIGS. 5A and 5B provide examples of obtained images to demonstrate
directions for which the mobile terminal is to be positioned
relative to a user or other object.
FIG. 6 depicts a display of a typical mobile terminal in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting a method for displaying images
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 provides an example in which an image having an original
orientation is transmitted to a remote user while the same original
image is displayed on the mobile terminal of the user.
FIGS. 9A and 9B provide examples of images which may be obtained
from a second camera configured to face the same direction as the
user of the mobile terminal.
FIG. 10 depicts a display of a mobile terminal according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawing figures which form a part hereof, and which
show by way of illustration specific embodiments of the invention.
It is to be understood by those of ordinary skill in this
technological field that other embodiments may be utilized, and
structural, electrical, as well as procedural changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the present invention. Wherever
possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the
drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.
Various embodiments will be described in conjunction with a mobile
terminal capable of performing video communication. However, such
teachings apply also to other types of electronic devices. Examples
of such devices include laptop computers, desktop computers,
portable devices, digital broadcast receiving terminals, MP3
players, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia
players (PMPs), and the like.
FIGS. 1A and 1B respectively depict front and rear sides of a
mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting the mobile terminal
of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
Communication unit 100 facilitates video communication with other
users via a mobile communication network. In particular, while a
terminal user performs voice communication with another party, the
communication unit further or alternatively permits images and/or
video obtained by first and second cameras 300, 400, to be
transmitted to other parties. In some cases, the communication unit
receives images, video, and other data. Certain embodiments will be
described herein with regard to either video or images. However, it
is understood that such embodiments are not so limited and may
implement capturing and/or transmitting media types such as images,
video, combinations thereof, and the like.
Memory unit 200 may be used to store various types of data and
software for implementing various functions provided by mobile
terminal 1. First camera 300 typically includes a lens, and as
shown in FIG. 1, may be configured to face the same or similar
direction of display 500. In this arrangement, the user may engage
in video communication by viewing display 500 while images of the
user are captured by first camera 300.
First camera 300 may be fixed or adjustable such that either the
camera and/or the camera lens may be adjusted or directed to face
one or more directions.
Second camera 400 is typically configured to face a direction which
is different from the direction that first camera 300 faces. In an
embodiment, such as that which is shown in FIG. 1B, second camera
400 is located on the rear side of mobile terminal 1. Thus, the
second camera faces a direction which is opposite to the direction
faced by first camera 300, which is located on the front side of
the mobile terminal.
This arrangement permits the user to perform a video communication
using first camera 300 which obtains images of the user, while
second camera 400 obtains images of another location (e.g., scenery
which the user is facing during the video communication). If
desired, images from both the first and second cameras may be
transmitted to the other party with which the user is engaged in
the video communication. In an embodiment, images obtained from
either the first camera or the second camera are transmitted to
other parties.
Display 500 is typically configured to display pictures, video, and
other types of information relating to a video conference and other
operational aspects of mobile terminal 1. In an embodiment, the
display is implemented as a touchscreen which may further permit
user input responsive to contact with the touchscreen.
Input unit 600 includes devices which permit user input. By way of
nonlimiting example only, the input unit may be configured to
include a various input keys, control keys, navigational keys, and
the like. Note that some or all of the functionality of the input
unit may be implemented in conjunction with a touchscreen display.
In this embodiment, some or all of the keys depicted in FIG. 1A may
be omitted.
Control unit 700 is typically implemented to control various
components associated with mobile terminal 1, such as those which
are depicted in FIG. 2.
Single Camera
FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting a method for displaying images
obtained from a single camera according to an embodiment of the
present invention. In this embodiment, first camera 300 is
implemented to obtain the desired images, and thus, second camera
400 is not required.
Block S31 includes obtaining a first image via first camera 300.
Block S32 includes transmitting the first image to another party
using, for example, the original orientation of the image. That is,
the image that is transmitted during this operation does not
undergo a right-to-left image reversal, which refers to a mirror
image of the orientation of an original image. Block S33 includes
displaying a mirror image of the first image.
Implementing the mirror image may be accomplished automatically or
responsive to user request. For example, the user may select this
function by selecting a certain icon that is displayed on display
unit 500 (e.g., using input unit 600 or display unit 500 in the
case of a touchscreen). Another alternative is to implement this
function responsive to a certain function. An example of the
forgoing method will be described with regard to FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 provides an example in which an image having an original
orientation is transmitted to a remote user while a mirror image of
the original image is displayed on the mobile terminal of the user.
In particular, the transmitted image is first image 530A, while
image 530B is displayed on display 500. Notably, image 530B is a
mirror image of first image 530A, which has been obtained by first
camera 300. This mirror image is not transmitted to the remote
user.
FIGS. 5A and 5B provide examples of obtained images to demonstrate
directions for which the mobile terminal is to be positioned
relative to a user or other object. In FIG. 5A, the user is located
on the left-most side of the image 530A-1. In mirror image, a user
is located on the right side of the image, such as that depicted in
image 530B-1.
If the first image 530A-1 is not centered in the image, a natural
tendency of the user to center the object of the image is to move
the terminal to the left (based upon the perspective of the user
facing the terminal having the camera). This is similar to
movements performed while looking into a mirror. However, such
actions will not center the image on the display. To do so, the
user will move the terminal to the right to effect centering of the
user within the image, such as that which is shown in image 530A-2.
Note that various embodiments will be described with regard to
moving the terminal or camera relative to the user as a matter of
convenience only. However, it is understood that the desired
movement may be achieved by effecting relative movement (i.e.,
moving the terminal, the object being captured, or both) between
the terminal and the object being captured.
In accordance with an embodiment, mirror image 530B-1 is presented
to a user such that the object of the image (e.g., a user) is
located on the right side of the image. When presented with such an
image, a user would naturally move the terminal to the right (based
upon the perspective of the user facing the terminal having the
camera). Consequently, the object of the image is centered within
the image, such as that which is depicted in image 530B-2. A
notable distinction between techniques used to achieve the centered
images of FIG. 5A is that image 530A-2 requires movement by a user
which is unnatural, whereas image 530B-2 permits natural
movement.
FIG. 5B illustrates the situation in which the user is located on
the right-most side of originally orientated image 530A-1. In
mirror image, a user is shown located on the left-most side of the
image, such as that depicted in image 530B-1. Repositioning the
object of each of the images may be obtained in a manner similar to
that which is described above in conjunction with FIG. 5A. In
particular, centering of the object of image 530A-2 is achieved by
moving the terminal to the left (based upon the perspective of the
user facing the terminal having the camera). Likewise, with mirror
image 530B-1, centering the object of this image is achieved by
moving the terminal to the left (based upon the perspective of the
user facing the terminal having the camera), such as that which is
depicted in image 530B-2.
FIG. 6 depicts a display of a typical mobile terminal in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure,
display 500 includes image 550 which has been received from a
remote user during, for example, a video conference.
Simultaneously, the user of the mobile terminal communicates image
530A to the remote user. Image 530A includes an original
orientation and is an image of the user of the mobile terminal that
is obtained by a camera that is associated with the mobile
terminal. Display 500 further displays image 530B, which is a
mirror image of the original image 530A.
Multiple Cameras
FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting a method for displaying images
according to an embodiment of the present invention. This
embodiment includes obtaining images from first and second cameras
300, 400.
Operations associated with blocks S71, S72, S73, may be implemented
using, for example, techniques disclosed in blocks S31, S32, S33 of
FIG. 3. Block S74 includes obtaining a second image via second
camera 400. Block S75 includes transmitting the second image to
another party using, for example, the original orientation of the
second image. In particular, the transmitted second image does not
undergo a right-to-left image reversal. Block S76 includes
displaying the second image.
FIG. 8 provides an example in which an image having an original
orientation is transmitted to a remote user while the same original
image is displayed on the mobile terminal of the user. In
particular, the transmitted image is first image 570, which may be
obtained via second camera 400. This same image may also be
displayed on the display of the mobile terminal. This example may
be implemented in addition to, or as an alternative to, the other
embodiments presented herein.
FIGS. 9A and 9B provide examples of images which may be obtained
from a second camera configured to face the same direction as the
user of the mobile terminal. In both examples, the depicted images
are not mirror images of the images which were originally obtained.
In FIG. 9A, the user scenery is located on the left-most side of
image 570A-1. Centering of the scenery within the image may be
obtained by moving the terminal having the second camera to the
left. An example of this is depicted in image 570A-2.
FIG. 9B provides the example in which scenery is located on the
right-most side of image 570A-1. Centering of the scenery within
this image may be obtained by moving the terminal to the right,
thus resulting in image 570A-2.
FIG. 10 depicts a display of a mobile terminal according to an
embodiment of the present invention. The mobile terminal is shown
receiving image 550 from a remote user, while transmitting to the
remote user first image 530A and second image 570A. Image 550 and
second image 570A are depicted on display 500 of the mobile
terminal. Mirror image 530B, which is the mirror image of first
image 530A, is also shown on display 500.
In this embodiment, the user may position themselves in mirror
image 530B, as well as positioning the scenery in second image
570A, using natural movements.
If desired, the first image 530A and second image 570A may be
overlapped or otherwise combined prior to or after communication to
the remote use. This aspect allows the remote user to see the
transmitting user in the environment in which they are currently
transmitting. A further alternative is to only combine a specific
portion of first image 530A (e.g., user's head) with second image
570A. The size and positioning of first image 530A within second
image 570A may be defined by the user. As a further example, the
first and second images may be overlapped or combined in an opaque
or semi-transparent fashion.
Although embodiments of the present invention may be implemented
using the exemplary series of operations described herein,
additional or fewer operations may be performed. Moreover, it is to
be understood that the order of operations shown and described is
merely exemplary and that no single order of operation is
required.
The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and
are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The
present teaching can be readily applied to other types of
apparatuses and processes. The description of the present invention
is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the
claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be
apparent to those skilled in the art.
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